With million of websites in cyber- space, creating a site that lures people and adds value to its users is an often overlooked task.
LightPort.com, an application services and web developer that only works with financial advisors and money managers, has put together a list of suggestions for financial advisors creating Internet sites.
Jonathan Bentley, president and CEO of LightPort said, "The very biggest mistake made by advisors when creating sites is that they forget how important it is to be able to refresh the Web site. Many people create a static site making it hard to update. If you are not going to be updating the site you shouldn't bother with it at all."
Another mistake made is that people don't bother to create a site because they believe it is going to be more expensive and complicated that it is, Bentley said. "A good site can be created for only a few thousand dollars."
According to LightPort.com, here are the 10 best ways to improve ones Web site:
1. Linking commonly used forms and agreements to your site to increase productivity.
2. Reach out to the younger generation, a.k.a the heirs of your current clients to retain clients even after your established client is gone.
3. Put sales and seminar presentation materials on-line to allow prospects to re-visit your presentation at their own convenience and pace.
4. Post bulletins, newsletters, and articles to the web to heighten communication with your clients.
5. Make your Web site a portal by linking to News Pages and research tools.
6. Link to affinity groups and create a referral system to give to gain a competitive edge.
7. Market the site appealing regionally as well as locally. It is the "World Wide Web."
8. Invite your current clients to refer their friends to your Web site.
9. Create an extranet feature so that execs and staff members can feel connected to the office even when they are not there.
10. Include links to non-financial sites such as the weather and sports to become a one stop shop of useful information. This way they will spend more time on your site and come to rely on your services.
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